mccreer
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Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:49 pm

Basil pest unknown

Hi!

I've been battling a pest infestation on my basil plants for weeks now, but I can't really tell what they are. I thought they were thrips but now am not sure if they are thrips, aphids or whiteflies. My new leaves have been curly and distorted, covered with the pests (especially the undersides). I've been snipping these new leaves off but they sprout up the same as before. A couple of ladybirds have recently established themselves - I thought this was a good sign but they don't seem to be reducing the number of bugs at all.
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Can someone please identify what these are and tell me how to fight them off? We intend to eat the leaves.

Thanks so much!!

Sarah

Smallgardener
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Posts: 172
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:18 pm
Location: SW Kansas

Definately aphids. I am not an organic gardener but I think some people use a soap and whater mixture for aphids. They are very tender pests and a lot of things will harm them. Very thin skinned. You could even try and find some lady bugs, lace wings or other preditors and put them on the basil.

mccreer
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:49 pm

Thanks a lot! There are big fat ones and long thin ones though... are the long thin ones a different pest? Or young aphids?

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applestar
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Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

Long thin ones -- are they black with orange or white markings and sort of alligator-like? They could be predatory ladybug or green lacewing larvae that are eating the aphids.

Keep your eyes open for yellow eggs laid in neat clusters or white ovoid eggs on a stiff strand laid singly. Those are ladybug egg clusters and green lacewing eggs.

mccreer
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:49 pm

The thin long ones are white, and they seem to be a pest too. In fact, they're the ones I noticed even before the fad aphids started appearing. I've got 2 basil plants and one of them is doing much better - I think because the other plant is luring the pests to it. But I've noticed ladybirds on both of the plants so I'm pretty excited. On top of that I've been sticky-taping the bugs every morning. So I'm just waiting to see if my plants get any better (: thanks!



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